Michelle Johnson, the township’s deputy tax assessor, asked the township committee to take a close look at the gap between the township’s highest-paid employees and the salaries of other workers, including her own.

At one time, she told the committee, the municipality operated like a well-oiled machine, saying she and other employees were proud of where they worked. She said things had changed.

“Morale is not good,” she said.

Another municipal employee quickly expressed his disagreement.

Mike Jones, the township’s deputy superintendent of public works, said he “strongly disagrees” with her assessment. He said he has worked for the municipality for more than 30 years and the current morale of employees in every department is the best he has ever seen.

“Morale went from very, very bad in three years to the highest morale it’s ever been,” Jones said. “Thank you to the five of you who are sitting here today and to Mr. DeMarzo and others who play an important role in the township.”

Former Wildwood Mayor Gary DeMarzo was hired as the township’s business administrator in April 2022.

The move proved controversial at the time, with some members of the public speaking out against his hiring and one committee member, John Coggins, voting against his hiring. Coggins is no longer on the committee.

Earlier this year, DeMarzo requested a title change from keyboard clerk. The committee took no action.

DeMarzo did not give a reason for the request, but many township residents believed it was to gain the protection of a civil service position.

Johnson said she had long been misclassified as a keyboard entry clerk, but said that had been corrected, with help from DeMarzo.

In recent years, Johnson told the committee, increases in some salaries and the procedures by which they occur have been strange and unprofessional, she said, “and literally uncomfortable to say the least.”

Published government salary information indicates Johnson earned $52,492 in 2023. That year, Jones’ salary was $86,100. The same site listed DeMarzo’s salary at $35,000. Township officials said his annual salary was $75,000 when he was hired.